STATE ATTORNEY ON STRIKE

Five State Attorneys of the Attorney General Department in the Brong Ahafo Region have joined their colleagues in the country to embark on a nationwide strike demanding for their right to be on the same terms and conditions with judges on the lower bench. A Senior State Attorney in the Brong Ahafo Region, Theophilus Appoh in an interview with Develop Ghana Newspaper in Sunyani revealed that, the Legal Service Aid Board and Government have approved that they should be on the same level with the lower bench as captured in theirÂ Â terms and conditions, guiding their department, yet they have been denied that position. Lawyer Appoh noted the rationale behind the strike is demanding harmonization with the lower bench lawyers,payment of their fuel allowance which has not been paid since January as well as their clothing andÂ leave allowances which are also in arrears. He noted that the Legal Service PNDC Law 320, 1993 Section 5 states that, the salaries and benefits attached to posts in the service shall be the same as those applicable to posts in the Judiciary and the Judicial Service requiring equivalent professional experience. Lawyer Appoh added that this provision was quoted in their appointment letters, making them demand for what is due them. He equally noted that, the Chief Justice held a meeting with the Executives of the Assistant State Attorney on three occasions during which she tasked the Bar to resolve the issue. Lawyer Appoh revealed that a last meeting was held yesterday at the Presidency with the Chief of Staff for faced to find a solution to the problem. To gang the effects of the strike we visited the Sunyani High Court where the chief registrar said the strike has had no negative effect on their work. He said all the Judges and Lawyers of the Court are all at post. He explained that cases being heard at that time mainly deals with criminal cases were mostly civil cases which are not handled by State Attorneys.